Updated in June 2018 for clarity and additional resources.

Today I want to share a lesson from my book Miracles Now about how to be more productive.

These tools I share in this lesson are ones I come back to again and again, especially when I’m super busy.

Put less pressure on yourself and you’ll be more productive

We put a lot of pressure on ourselves. We can get so fixated on work deadlines, errands, bills and household chores that happiness becomes a distant afterthought.

We blast through our to-do lists thinking that we can relax and feel good once we’ve crossed off the last item. We put a ton of pressure on ourselves to do everything “serious” before we can even think about having fun!

But the truth is that there will always be another to-do. When we focus only on what we have to do, we sap our energy and end up feeling like crap.

Tweet: Whenever you feel like the pressure is on & you have a ton of things to do, tap into your childlike self. @gabbybernstein #miraclesnow

It may seem counterintuitive, but one powerful way to feel more productive and satisfied is to step away from your responsibilities from time to time.

3 ways to have more fun so you can get more done

Whenever you feel like the pressure is on and you have a ton of things to do, tap into your childlike self. Children have an enormous capacity for curiosity, creativity and openness.

When you practice these tools you’ll feel anxiety subside, you’ll rev up your creativity and you’ll feel mentally and physically refreshed. As a result, you’ll not only feel better, but you’ll also be more productive.

Let go of the pressure you’ve put on yourself with these three tips!

Be more curious

An incredible way to get out of your head is to get curious about something new. Like a kid, spend time throughout your day being curious about new things.

Read a magazine you’d never typically pick up, ask more questions and try a new kind of food. Curiosity will take you out of whatever it was you were obsessing over and lead you into a state of simple innocence.

Be more present

Becoming more mindful and present in every moment will help you release the pressure you put on yourself. Kids have an awesome ability to fully experience each moment. Taste your food with more wonder, notice the colors of the sky, laugh hard!

Daydream

Rather than occupy your mind with chaotic thoughts, take a visualization break. Sit on a park bench, in your backyard or in your favorite spot inside and get comfortable. Spend five to 10 minutes thinking your way into a cool experience you’d always hoped to have. This process will not only get you out of your own way, but it will also open the floodgates to manifesting that reality!

Let the creativity flow

Practice any of these tools and you’ll feel the pressure lift and creativity flow.

When you let your freewheeling inner kid come forth, you can go back to your grown-up responsibilities with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.